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14Jul 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Blood Pressure Control: How Low is Too Low

Blood Pressure Control: How Low is Too Low

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A hypertension Facebook member share that her blood pressure was 85/69 mm Hg, and her heart rate was 65. She was concerned about heart rate and wanted to know if her blood pressure was too low. She said she did not have any symptoms. Her question was, would her heart rate be lower while asleep. Her Story Her blood pressure has been 140-150/100, sometimes higher, usually lower, but she would get spikes. Her doctor told her to try a low salt diet, exercise, and continue to monitoring. It helped, but she was still a Stage 1-2. Her blood pressure would spike, sometimes as high as 165/115 mm Hg. So, she called her doctor for medication. She was started on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg. After the 2nd day of od 25…
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10Jul 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Stress, Anxiety, Blood Pressure & COVID-19

Stress, Anxiety, Blood Pressure & COVID-19

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Today I want to talk about stress, anxiety, blood pressure, and COVID-19. This pandemic has caused many people to be quarantined, jobless, and worst affected personally by the infection. As a result, many people are feeling stressed, anxious, and blood pressures are rising in response to emotional stress. Is your blood pressure uncontrolled or worsening? Do you find yourself eating more comfort food lately, staying up all night looking at social media or the news? Are you having difficulty concentrating and getting your work done, and smoking, using drugs or drinking too much? These are all common signs of stress according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 1) Take breaks from the news and social media 2) Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate 3) Eat healthily 4)…
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23Jun 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

Does Amlodipine Cause Ankle or Foot Swelling?

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Does amlodipine cause ankle or foot swelling? A person in one of my hypertension groups was just started on amlodipine a week ago. Now, she is complaining of swelling in her left ankle and lower foot. She wants to know if the swelling in her ankle and foot is normal. She is on 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg of losartan in the mornings, and 50 mg of metoprolol in the evenings. I don't know the dose of amlodipine, but I will assume that she is taking 10 mg in the mornings. However, usually, a smaller dose is started unless her blood pressure was severe at the time the medication was started. She is planning to see her cardiologist soon. The question was asked because she wanted to know…
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08Jun 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

For Anyone Trying to Understand Racism: #Black Lives Matter

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#blacklivesmatter #racism #uncomfortableconversations For anyone trying to understand racism, I wrote this blog just for you because I have been trying to understand too. We witnessed the horrific murder of Mr. George Floyd by police on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis during an arrest. This is not a common occurrence, but it is happening too frequently. I'm trying to understand why we are still experiencing racism? Of course, there is no simple answer to why there is racism in America. Yet, we do know that it is a learned behavior that is taught from one person to another. Allow me to oversimplify a very complex topic based on what I have learned about human behavior. Ambivalence exists in America, but more people are outraged and committed to acting in "good…
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31May 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
COVID-19 Survivors: Experts Tell How to Get Better

COVID-19 Survivors: Experts Tell How to Get Better

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, Ph.D., MPH, RN - I have had a Coronavirus (COVID-19) survivor ask me what to do to get better. In this post, I turn to the experts who tell how to get better from COVID-19 as a survivor. Hypertension is among other chronic diseases that are risk factors for COVID-19) symptoms. African Americans are at a higher risk for COVID-19 as well. Only a small percentage of people who become ill from COVID-19 will have a severe case of the virus. Further, even less will end up in the ICU, and not many will die from the virus when compared to the number of people exposed. It takes some time to get better. The length of time may be different for different people. However, COVID-16 experts…
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20May 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself & Your Family

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, Ph.D., MPH, RN - How to protect yourself and your family from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) now that we are open as a country. Many of my family and friends are essential workers and have asked me how to protect themselves and their families . My answer is the same for everyone, although they have different work and health situations. Hypertensives and COVID-19 We now know that hypertension is a risk factor for COVID-19. Being 60 years old or older puts you at even more risk. Therefore, you should protect yourself and family by continuing to take precautions. In the video below, Dr. Gupta explains why high blood pressure contributes to the high risk of COVID-19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O00NvYLmGI4&t=858s How to Protect Yourself & Your Family from COVID-19 Just…
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11May 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Does Lisinopril Prevent Severe COVID-19 Symptoms?

Does Lisinopril Prevent Severe COVID-19 Symptoms?

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, Ph.D., MPH, RN - https://www.buzzsprout.com/765992/7086628 Does lisinopril prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms? This is a blog update on Lisinopril and the risk for severe Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Lisinopril & COVID-19 As you know, blood pressure medication has been of concern in the news lately. Medical observations have noticed that patients with hypertension or other chronic diseases are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms. The most current evidence has shown that Ace inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase severe COVID-19 symptoms. See the video related to these new results here. Here is the most up to date treatment for COVID-19 which includes that vitamin D3 may be beneficial to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms. (This is an affiliate link that supports the channel if you make…
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10May 2020 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
What to Consider During the COVID-19 Pandemic Besides Staying at Home

What to Consider During the COVID-19 Pandemic Besides Staying at Home

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by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, MPH, RN - What to do to keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic besides stay at home? We are living in times of uncertainty and constant change. Many people and families have been affected by the pandemic. At this point, nobody seems to know what to do to decrease the severity of COVID-19. However, experts say that Vitamins A, C, E, D3 (K2), melatonin, elderberry, selenium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc may help decrease the severity of COVID-19. Hot and Cold Showers I have no knowledge about hot and cold showers, but some gurus have recommended this practice to boost immunity. The video below will give you everything you would want to know about hot and cold showers. I will move into this practice once I…
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